The Syracuse University women’s soccer team (7-6-3, 6-4 Big East) lost 4-0 to No. 7 Marquette (16-2, 9-1 Big East) Sunday at the SU Soccer Stadium.
Sunday’s loss marked the fourth time the Orange has been shutout and the fifth time it has given up multiple goals in a game this season. Despite the loss the Orange still clinched a bye to the quaterfinals of the Big East Tournament by ensuring a third place finish in the American Division, the team's highest finish since the conference realigned in 2006.
The first half was filled with the type of physical play that Syracuse [6]has shown all season, as the Orange fouled Marquette [7] seven times. Syracuse’s defense also kept Marquette’s forwards from maintaining any type of rhythm, as the teams were tied 0-0 at halftime.
The first half also saw Syracuse defender Megan Hunsberger [8] leave the game with a knee injury in the 37th minute. Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon [9] said Hunsberger’s status for next Friday's season finale against St. John's is uncertain.
The second half, however, started off with Marquette forward Maegan Kelly [10] netting her 13th and 14th goals of the season within the first ten minutes. Midfielder Ally Miller [11] tallied her first of the season at the 59:29 mark after heading the ball off a corner kick, making it 3-0 with 30 minutes to play. The final goal came courtesy of midfielder Britney Scott [12] at the 76:53 mark.
Wheddon said Sunday’s defensive problems were something his team has been working on.
“I don’t think we did a good job of marking in the box,” Wheddon said. “There was a focus in the first half in particular and that has been our focus this week, marking in the box. We didn’t do a good job of that.”
Wheddon also said his team used up much of its energy in Friday’s game [13] against South Florida [14] when the Orange defeated the Bulls 1-0 in double overtime.
“It’s a team thing, it’s not individual and we just have to be more disciplined,” Wheddon said.
Sunday’s game was also the last home game for seniors Casey Ramirez [15] and Carly Lenger [16]. Both players were honored before the game for their contributions to the program.
“It’s bittersweet,” Lenger said. "You never want to end on a low note like we did today, but we got the Big East Tournament to look forward to.”
Ramirez said playing her last home game was sad, but that she was excited to play in the Big East Tournament.
“It has been my most successful year so far,” Ramirez said. “Getting into the Big East Tournament is something we haven’t done in the last three years. It’s sad, but at the same time exciting.”
SU has to win Friday against St. John’s [17] to clinch a one-week bye in the Big East Tournament.
“We need to be prepared take care of business on Friday against St. John’s because that will guarantee us third place,” Wheddon said. “It will be a hard week of training to make sure we’re ready for what St. John’s presents."
The Orange looks to regroup and clinch a one-week bye in the Big East Tournament Friday when it travels to Jamaica, N.Y. to play the Red Storm.
(Image courtesy of Stock.XCHNG)
